Clayface Movie: Release Date, Set Photos, Trailer, and More

The DC Universe is taking a bold step into horror with its upcoming Clayface movie, and fans are already buzzing about how this iconic Batman villain will finally get his time in the spotlight. While most superhero films lean heavily on action and spectacle, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU is experimenting with different genres, and Clayface is set to become the franchise’s first true horror film. With a promising creative team and a talented cast, the film is shaping up to be one of the most unique entries in the Gods and Monsters slate. So, if you are excited to watch this movie, here is everything you need to know about the release date, cast, plot, trailer for Clayface, and more.

What Is the Release Date of DCU’s Clayface Movie?

Clayface is officially scheduled to release on September 11, 2026. The film is part of the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters and follows The Authority, further establishing the interconnected world that James Gunn and Peter Safran are building.

Who Is Playing Clayface in DC’s Clayface Movie?

Tom Rhys Harries is playing Clayface in the movie. He is a 32-year-old Welsh actor who has acted in some popular movies like White Lines, The Gentlemen, and Suspicion. Clayface could be the breakthrough role for Tom.

Is There a Trailer for Clayface Yet?

As of now, DC Studios has not released a trailer for Clayface since its filming began in late August 2025 in Liverpool. Fans will likely have to wait until sometime in 2026 for the first official footage. Given the film’s horror direction, the teaser will probably lean into eerie body horror elements while giving us our first terrifying look at Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen or Clayface. You can expect the first teaser to drop either at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 or during a major Warner Bros. showcase event.

Who Is in the Cast of Clayface?

The film’s biggest highlight is the casting of Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, the tragic actor who becomes Clayface. Alongside him, Naomi Ackie is in talks to play Dr. Caitlin Bates, a biotech scientist tied closely to Hagen’s transformation.

Additionally, reports suggest that Max Minghella is being considered for the role of John, a detective and Bates’ fiancé, who grows suspicious of her involvement with Hagen. The supporting cast has not been fully revealed yet, but more announcements can be expected as filming progresses.

Clayface Set Photos (Updated Regularly)

Now, it’s pretty obvious that since Clayface is making his first-ever debut on the big screen, the hype around the upcoming movie has to be absolutely insane. Keeping that in mind, it was inevitable for some set photos and behind-the-scenes images to come to light. Multiple outlets and individuals have shared images directly from the sets of Clayface. One such set of images came from Superscouser, who shared landscape images of Gotham City created by the DCU

As we can see, the aesthetic of Gotham City is exactly how one would imagine it. The fog, the gloomy ambiance, and the eerie vibes make it look like this Gotham city has sprung right out of the pages of a DC comic book. I mean it when I say that James Gunn’s cooking needs to be studied.

Another set of images came from Gemstarsjar, who shared a poster for the movie Matt Hagen will be starring in during the events of Clayface. The images shared by this individual appear to be of a scene where Matt will be promoting his upcoming movie titled “The Light Between”.

Other than this, we also got a short clip from Genstarjar again, which shows us Matt Hagen running from the promotional event, covering his face. By the looks of it, there is a good chance that at this point in the movie, his deformation begins, but it would be too soon to make any assumptions.

However, surpassing all of the insane reveals we have received from the sets of Clayface, one has personally stood out for me and for good reason. X user Chimichangaprod posted a picture on his X account, and even though they have taken it down, the image tells us a lot about what Clayface could mean for the DCU.

They posted a poster of “The Flying Graysons” spotted on the set of Clayface, and if you are not aware of who they are, allow me to fill you in. The Flying Grasyons were a couple of gymnasts and had a son. However, in an accident, both of them were killed, leaving behind their son, Dick Grayson, who was taken under Bruce Wayne’s wing and became Robin.

By the looks of it, it seems like Clayface will introduce us to elements that will lead to the introduction of Batman in the DCU. So, let’s wait and see what more comes to the forefront as time passes and the production moves forward.

What Is the Budget of DCU’s Clayface Movie?

The upcoming Clayface movie is shaping up to be one of the more daring projects in James Gunn’s new DCU slate, and with that comes a hefty price tag. Unlike a grounded street-level story, Clayface demands big-screen spectacle. His grotesque, ever-shifting form is the kind of visual that lives or dies on cutting-edge effects.

That alone pushes the film into blockbuster territory, with early industry chatter placing the budget of DCU’s Clayface somewhere in the $4o-$45 million range. It’s a sweet spot that is high enough to showcase the full horror and tragedy of a shape-shifting monster, but still restrained compared to the half-billion-dollar productions of Superman or The Batman Part II.

What Could Be the Plot of Clayface?

The story of Clayface will pull inspiration from multiple comic book versions of the character, primarily Matt Hagen and Basil Karlo. The film will follow Hagen, a once-promising actor whose life spirals after a disfiguring accident ruins his career.

Desperate for a second chance, he undergoes an experimental treatment that transforms him into the monstrous yet shape-shifting Clayface. James Gunn has confirmed that the movie is a full-blown horror film within the DCU, setting it apart from Superman’s hopeful optimism.

The focus will be on body horror and psychological torment, showing Hagen’s struggle between clinging to his lost humanity and embracing his monstrous new form. With DC leaning heavily into genre diversity, Clayface is set to deliver a chilling origin story that blends tragedy, terror, and the supernatural in a way we’ve never seen before in a superhero movie.